How to remove Aluminum Storm Windows
If you have a home built in the 1950's or 1960's, you are very likely to have aluminum storm windows. When you want to fix the screens or just take the windows apart for cleaning, you are going to need to know how to take them apart.The vast majority of aluminum storm windows have a single sliding panel, a fixed panel and a screen panel. The fixed panel can be above the screen in a vertical single sash arrangement or the fixed panel can be to the left or right of the screen in a horizontal side slider arrangement.
Here are the steps you need to follow to take them apart:
To Remove Vertical Storm Sashes
Check on the outside to see if the storm window frames have been painted. You will need to score the paint with a utility knife to allow the storms to come apart easilyOpen the inside window all the way so you can access the storm windowLift the operating sash until you see the bottom of the sash clearing the frame that holds it in.Some storm windows will have spring clips at the top of the window which will hold the moveable sash in place as you lift it all the way up.Pull the bottom of the moveable sash toward you just enough to clear the frame, the pull the sash downward, out of the frame.Make sure the window behind the storm is fully open, have someone hold it up if it wont stay.Lift the storm sash up and again pull the bottom toward you, enough to clear the inside window ledge. Remove the storm sah and put it away safely.The remaining fixed storm sash usually sits on top of the screen frame. Use you fingernails to push the fixed sash up until it comes apart from the screen frame.Pull the bottom of the fixed sash toward you unitll it clears the frame. Pull down on the sash unitll it comes free of the frame.Remove the fixed sash from the window in the same way you removed the moveable sash.Grab the screen frame at the top and push it upwards.Hold the bottom of the screen frame and push it up and out of the storm window frame. Dont drop it out the window !
How to remove horizontal storm sashes
Check on the outside to see if the aluminum storm window frames have been painted. You will need to score the paint with a utility knife to allow the storms to come apart easilyOpen the inside window all the way so you can access the storm windowSlide the operating sash to the left or right until you see the side of the sash clearing the frame that holds it in.Some storm windows will have spring clips at the left or right of the window which will hold the moveable sash in place as you slide it all the way across.Pull the side of the moveable sash toward you just enough to clear the frame, then pull the sash toward the closed position, sliding it out of the frame.Slide the storm sash across and again pull the side toward you, enough to clear the inside window ledge. Remove the storm sash and put it away safely.The remaining fixed storm sash usually sits to the left or right of the screen frame. Use you fingernails to push the fixed sash sideways until it comes apart from the screen frame.Pull the side of the fixed sash toward you until it clears the frame. Slide the sash until it comes free of the frame.Remove the fixed sash from the window in the same way you removed the moveable sash.Grab the screen frame at the side and slide it out of the frame.
Are your Storms beyond repair ?...
If your aluminum storm windows are too difficult to take apart and are beyond repair I can reccomend some sources for new storm windows. Right now these reccomendations are for Southwestern Ontario, Canada only.Please send me your contact information using the form below
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I have other pages that talk about
Vinyl Windows vs Aluminum Windows
and
Aluminum Clad Windows
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Aluminum Storm page click here
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